System and method for playing community hand poker games utilizing dealer qualifying criteria

ABSTRACT

A system and method for facilitating play of a poker game utilizing dealer qualification criteria that impact the manner in which the game proceeds. The player(s) and dealer ante, and starting hands are dealt to the player(s) and dealer. The player may fold and lose the ante, or place a bet. The dealer&#39;s starting hand must meet qualifying criteria, such as a particular poker rank. If it does not, the dealer does not qualify, and the player(s) win the dealer&#39;s ante amount. If the dealer&#39;s starting hand qualifies, the dealer calls the players&#39; bets, and deals a community hand. Using their respective starting hands and the community hand, each of the players and the dealer arrives at a resulting hand. If a player&#39;s resulting hand beats the dealer&#39;s based on poker rank, that player wins. Multiple betting options and/or multiple dealer qualification criteria may be implemented to enhance gaming entertainment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/412,257filed on Apr. 27, 2006, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.10/686,020 filed Oct. 15, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,468 issued onMay 16, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by referencein their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to card games, and more particularlyto an apparatus and method for facilitating play of a poker gameutilizing community cards and dealer qualification criteria that impactthe manner in which the game proceeds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Card games such as poker have long been enjoyed by people as a means forentertainment. The popularity of casino gambling with wagering continuesto increase, both in live table versions as well aselectronic/computer-based casino gaming machines. Whether played in agaming environment, or in a non-wagering environment such as a computergame, society's fascination with card games and gaming activity isunfaltering.

In one traditional cardroom poker game, players gather to competeagainst each other, by waging bets that their poker hand will have ahigher poker rank than the other players' hands. The highest poker rankin each played hand is the winner of the hand, and if bets were made,the winner collects the bets made by the losing players for that hand.

Other table games are similar in that players place their bets, and theplayer with the winning hand wins the pot. One such poker game is knownas “Hold'em,” where each player at the table is dealt, face-down, a handof two cards. After a betting round, the dealer turns face-up threecommunal cards known as the “flop.” Bets are made, and additionalcommunal cards are turned face-up, ultimately exposing the entirecommunal card hand known as the “board.” Thus, each of the players useshis/her two-card face-up hand in connection with the board to determinethe resulting poker rank, and the highest poker rank identifies thewinner of the hand. The winner collects the pot.

Hold'em is among the most popular, if not the most popular, live pokergame played today. It would therefore be desirable to provide a mannerof simulating such games in a casino environment involving a dealer, andalso to provide a new game involving additional excitement andanticipation, and more intricate and interesting betting strategies. Thepresent invention provides such a poker game, and offers otheradvantages over existing poker games.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome limitations in the prior art described above, and toovercome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading andunderstanding the present specification, the present invention disclosesan apparatus and method for participating in a card game utilizingstarting hands and community hands, and implementing qualifying criteriafor dealer hands where the qualifying criteria at least in part dictatesthe manner in which the game proceeds.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method is providedfor playing a card game. Such a method may be played in a live tableversion or in electronic embodiments. The method includes dealing astarting hand to a player(s) and to the dealer, where each starting handrepresents a potential portion of a resulting poker hand. A bet isplaced by the player. It is determined whether the dealer's startinghand meets certain qualifying criteria. If so, the dealer places a bet(e.g., calls the bet, physically presents a bet, etc.) responsive to theplayer's bet, and the dealer deals a community hand. A player poker rankfor the player's resulting poker hand is determined, where the player'sresulting poker hand is derived from cards including the player'sstarting hand and the community hand. Similarly, a dealer poker rank forthe dealer's resulting poker hand is determined, where the dealer'sresulting poker hand is derived from cards including the dealer'sstarting hand and the community hand. A winning poker is hand isidentified among the player's resulting poker hand and the dealer'sresulting poker hand. Such a method may analogously be applied to anynumber of players participating in the game.

In more particular embodiments of such a method, the player and dealerstarting hands are provided as two-card starting hands, and thecommunity hand is provided as a five-card community hand. This, however,is not a requirement, as the number of cards associated with thestarting hands and/or community hand may be adjusted as desired.Further, determining the player poker rank for the player's resultingpoker hand may involve determining a player poker rank for a five-cardplayer resulting poker hand derived from the player's two-card startinghand and the five-card community hand, and determining the dealer pokerrank for the dealer's resulting poker hand may involve determining adealer poker rank for a five-card dealer resulting poker hand derivedfrom the dealer's two-card starting hand and the five-card communityhand. The winning poker hand may be identified by determining thehighest poker rank of the player poker rank and the dealer poker rank.In other particular embodiments of such a method, initial bets or “ante”bets are placed by the player(s) and by the dealer prior to dealing thestarting hands. In such case, the dealer/player with the winning pokerhand collects the bets and antes. The player may have the opportunity toforgo placing the bet and consequently the opportunity to obtain aplayer's resulting poker hand, i.e. the player folds, in which case theplayer's ante is forfeited. The dealer does not place a post-ante betand does not have the opportunity to stay in the game to obtain adealer's resulting poker hand if the dealer's starting hand does notmeet the qualifying criteria, in which case the dealer forfeits thedealer's ante.

In still other particular embodiments of such a method, the player mayplace a fixed bet of a predetermined amount. In other embodiments,placing a bet by the player involves wagering, by the player, one of anumber of wager amounts available to the player. For example, in oneembodiment, the player can select one of a number of fixed bets eachassociated with a particular predetermined amount. In such cases, someembodiments of the invention involve establishing different qualifyingcriteria dependent on the wager amount selected by the player. Forexample, the qualifying criteria may include a qualifying poker rank,where establishing different qualifying criteria involves increasing thequalifying poker rank relative to an increase in the player's wageramounts. Such a “relative” increase does not necessarily mean theincrease in qualifying poker rank has to be precisely proportional tothe increase in the player's wager amount (although it may be), butrather indicates that generally the qualifying poker rank will increaseas the player's wager amount increases. An example would be that thequalifying poker rank may increase as the player's wager amountincreases from $5 to $15, but the qualifying poker rank may increase at,for example, five dollar increments rather than precisely mathematicallyproportional (although such an embodiment may be feasible and/orpractical in an electronic embodiment).

In still other embodiments of such a method, the player may be awardedwith bonus amounts, based on the poker rank of the player's resultinghand. For example, one or more predetermined poker ranks may beidentified as bonus levels, where each of these predetermined pokerranks is associated with a particular bonus payout. When the player'sresulting hand reaches one of the bonus levels, the player may beawarded a bonus amount corresponding to that bonus level.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method isprovided for electronically providing a card game. A player startinghand and a dealer starting hand are displayed to the player, where eachstarting hand includes one or more cards representing a potentialportion of a resulting poker hand. A bet is placed by the player, suchas via a user interface. It is determined whether the “virtual” dealer'sstarting hand meets certain qualifying criteria, and if so, the virtualdealer calls the player's bet and presents a community hand. A playerpoker rank for the player's resulting poker hand is determined, wherethe player's resulting poker hand is derived from cards including theplayer's starting hand and the community hand. Similarly, a dealer pokerrank for the virtual dealer's resulting poker hand is determined, wherethe dealer resulting poker hand is derived from cards including thevirtual dealer's starting hand and the community hand. A winning pokerhand is identified among the player's resulting poker hand and thevirtual dealer's resulting poker hand.

In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for playinga game, where initial bets such as antes are placed by the player(s) andthe dealer. The method involves, dealing a two-card starting hand to theplayer(s) and dealer, where each two-card starting hand represents apotential portion of a resulting poker hand. The method further involvesplacing a second bet by the player; if the player opts to remain in thecard game based on the player's two-card starting hand. It is determinedwhether the dealer's two-card starting hand meets predeterminedqualifying criteria, and if so, placing a second bet by the dealer inresponse to the player's second bet, and dealing a multi-card communityhand. A player poker rank for the player's resulting poker hand isdetermined, which is derived from the player's two-card starting handand the multi-card community hand. Similarly, a dealer poker rank forthe dealer's resulting poker hand is determined, which is derived fromthe dealer's two-card starting hand and the multi-card community hand. Awinning poker hand is identified between the player's resulting pokerhand and the dealer's resulting poker hand, where the winning poker handis based on the highest poker rank between the player poker rank and thedealer poker rank.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, acomputer-implemented poker apparatus is provided for allowing playerparticipation in a card game. The poker apparatus includes a displaydevice to display player and dealer starting hands, each of whichinclude one or more cards representing a potential portion ofcorresponding player and dealer resulting poker hands. The apparatusincludes a user interface to accept an ante bet by the player, and toaccept a second bet placed by the player if the player chooses tocontinue in the card game. A processing system is configured todetermine whether the dealer starting hand meets qualifying criteria,and if so, to call the player's second bet and cause the display deviceto display a community hand. The processing system is further configuredto determine a player poker rank for the player's resulting poker handderived from the player starting hand and the community hand, and todetermine a dealer poker rank for the virtual dealer's resulting pokerhand derived from the dealer starting hand and the community hand.Further, the processing system is configured to identify a winning pokerhand between the player's resulting poker hand and the virtual dealer'sresulting poker hand. The processing system can then settle bets. Such apoker apparatus may be provided via a casino gaming machine housing thedisplay device, user interface, and processing system, or othercomputing-based system including a desktop computer, workstation, etc.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method isprovided for playing a card game, where multiple community hands areconcurrently played. The method involves dealing a starting hand to atleast one player and to the dealer, where each starting hand includesone or more cards representing a potential portion of a resulting pokerhand. A bet is placed by the player for each concurrent hand desired forparticipation. It is determined whether the dealer's starting hand meetsqualifying criteria, and if so, a responsive bet is placed by the dealerand multiple community hands are dealt. Different community hands aredealt for each of the concurrent games to which the player isparticipating. The player poker ranks for each resulting poker hand aredetermined, using each of the multiple community hands in connectionwith the player's starting hand. Similarly, dealer poker ranks aredetermined for each resulting poker hand, using each of the multiplecommunity hands in connection with the dealer's starting hand. Aplurality of winning poker hands are identified based on the playerresulting poker hands and corresponding dealer resulting poker hands.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty whichcharacterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed hereto and form a part hereof. However, for a betterunderstanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtainedby its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form afurther part hereof, and to accompanying descriptive matter, in whichthere are illustrated and described various examples in accordance withthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in connection with the embodimentsillustrated in the following diagrams.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a manner of participating in adealer-qualification card game in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a representative hand in adealer-qualification card game in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate representative embodiments of dealerqualifying criteria that is based on the amount wagered by the player;

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a manner of participating in adealer-qualification card game in accordance with the present invention,where the player may choose a bet amount, and the qualifier is dependentupon the player's selected bet amount;

FIG. 6 is a table illustrating a number of exemplary game plays andcorresponding results in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the ability for any participant to be in therunning for the highest payouts, or to lose when initially having astrong starting hand, even though the bets are already in place and thedealer has qualified;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a table layout for use in playing livecasino versions of the poker game in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a representative computing system capable of carryingout operations in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a representative electronic video poker device ofthe general type suitable for use in the practice of the game accordingto the present invention; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a representative embodiment illustrating one mannerfor concurrently participating in multiple hands for the game accordingto the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of various exemplary embodiments, referenceis made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and inwhich is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized, as structural and operational changes maybe made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Generally, the present invention provides a card game and a manner ofproviding such a card game. The invention provides a manner forfacilitating play of a card game utilizing community cards and dealerqualification criteria that impact the manner in which the gameproceeds. More particularly, the invention is implemented in a pokergame that includes a starting hand and at least one community hand. Onesuch card game including a starting hand and communal hand is “Hold'em,”where each player at the table is dealt, face-down, a hand of two cards.After a betting round, the dealer deals the first three cards, known asthe “flop,” of the community hand. Bets are made, and cards of thecommunity hand are dealt, until the entire community hand is dealt. Theexposed cards of the community hand are typically referred to as the“board.” Thus, each of the players uses his/her two-card face-up hand inconnection with the board to determine the resulting poker rank, and thehighest poker rank identifies the winner of the round.

In accordance with the invention, a starting hand is dealt to theplayer(s) and to the dealer. The player may fold based on the state ofthe player's starting hand, or may place a bet. The dealer's startinghand must meet some defined qualifying criteria, such as a particularpoker rank. If it does not, the dealer does not qualify, and hand isover. Where an ante or other initial bet is placed by the players anddealer, as is the case in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, andthe dealer's starting hand does not qualify, the player wins thedealer's ante/initial bet assuming the player has not already folded.If, on the other hand, the dealer's starting hand does meet thequalification criteria, the dealer calls the players' bets, and deals acommunity hand. The community hand may be dealt all at once, or mayinclude interim betting in accordance with the invention. Using theirrespective starting hands and the board, each of the players and thedealer arrives at a resulting hand. If a player's resulting hand beatsthe dealer's resulting hand based on poker rank, that player wins. Forexample, the player may receive a net win amount equal to the dealer'scall bets made in response to the player's ante and post-ante bets. Inother words, in such an embodiment the player wins the total amountwagered between that player and the dealer. As is described more fullybelow, various embodiments of the present invention provide additionalfeatures and benefits such as, for example, allowing players to decideon a wager amount, where the player-selected wager amount is a factor indetermining what the dealer's qualifying criteria will be for that hand.

As will become more evident in the ensuing description, the presentinvention may be played in a live table version, or in an electronicenvironment (e.g., computer-implemented video game/machine, casinokiosk, etc.). Electronic embodiments of the invention generally involvea single game participant with no other players associated with thegame, however other players may be participating in the game via remotegaming machines. Further, electronic embodiments may involve acomputerized dealer or “virtual dealer.” However, the description hereinrelating to how the game may be played is applicable to both live tablegames and electronic embodiments.

It should be recognized that, for purposes of the present description,the community hand may be referred to as the community hand, communitycards, communal cards/hand, the board, etc. It should also be recognizedthat reference may be made to a dealer calling a bet, matching a bet,placing a bet, etc. In some embodiments, a dealer may physically match aplayer's bet using money, a chip(s), selecting an appropriate betdesignator, or the like. However, in other embodiments such as a casinoenvironment, reference to a dealer placing, matching, or calling a betdoes not involve a physical bet being presented by the dealer. In suchembodiments, the dealer “in essence” places a matching ante or other betwhen the dealer calls such bets, but typically does not physicallypresent the house/dealer bet amount until, and unless, the player winsthe hand as it pertains to that player and the dealer. In other words, alive table embodiment of the invention will generally not involve(although it may) any physical presentation of bets by the dealer, butrather the dealer simply calls the players' bets. In an electronicembodiment, a visual representation of the dealer's “bets” may, or maynot, be displayed on the screen. In any event, as used in connectionwith the present invention, reference to a dealer placing, matching,calling, or otherwise making an ante and/or other bet is intended toinclude both situations where the dealer does not physically present theante/bet (e.g., tantamount to the dealer/house promise to pay) andsituations where the dealer does in fact physically present theante/bet.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention. In the illustrated embodiment, starting hands are dealt 100to each of the players and to the dealer. The game may be played with adealer and one player, or with multiple players. In one embodiment, theplayer's resulting hands are not played against one another, but rathereach of the player's resulting hands is played against the dealer'sresulting hand. It is further noted that in an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention, an ante or other initial bet is made by each of theplayers and by the dealer.

In one embodiment such as a live table version of the game, the startinghands are dealt face down. Having been dealt a starting hand, each ofthe players may place 102 a bet. In some embodiments, the player mayfold upon seeing his/her respective starting hand, in which case theplayer would lose any ante or other initial bet placed. Assuming theplayer does not fold, the players place 102 their bets.

At this point, it is determined 104 whether the dealer's starting handmeets some qualifying criteria. In one embodiment, this qualifyingcriteria is represented by a predetermined poker rank, such as a 10-highor better, or other predetermined poker rank. Any particular poker rankmay be selected, and may be based on the desired return percentage tothe house. In one embodiment, if the dealer does not qualify, the handis over, and the dealer forfeits the ante amount to each of theremaining players in the game. In any event, if the dealer's startinghand meets the qualifying criteria, the dealer calls 106 the player'sbet(s) or otherwise places a bet in response to the player's bet. In oneembodiment, the dealer calls each of the players' bets, such that thedealer bets against each of the players with the same wager amount aswas made by that player. For example, if the bet amount for the game isfixed at $5 and each of the players bets $5, then the dealer will callthe $5 bet or otherwise match the $5 bet against each of theparticipating players.

In accordance with the invention, the dealer will not call any post-antebets, or deal 108 the community cards, unless the dealer's starting handmet the qualifying criteria. Where such criteria is met, the dealer willcall 106 the bets and deal 108 the community cards. Using theirrespective starting hand in connection with the board, each player aswell as the dealer derives the best poker hand possible (i.e., havingthe highest poker rank), as shown at block 110. The winning poker handis identified 112, based on the relative poker ranks of each of theplayers' resulting hands with respect to the dealer's resulting hand,and the bets are settled 114. For example, if a first player has aresulting hand having a higher poker rank than the dealer's resultinghand, that first player is a winner, and will receive the bet amountcalled by the dealer (i.e., the ante amount plus the player's betamount). If a second player has a resulting hand having a lower pokerrank than the dealer's resulting hand, that second player does not win,and forfeits his/her wagered amount to the dealer/house.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a manner of participating in adealer-qualification card game in accordance with the present invention.In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the player(s) provides an initial bet or“ante,” and the dealer calls or otherwise matches the ante as shown atblock 200. Starting hands are dealt 202 to the player(s) and to thedealer. The player may fold, and if the player folds as determined atdecision block 204, the dealer/house wins 206 the player's ante. If theplayer does not fold, the player makes a second bet (relative to theante), as shown at block 208.

The dealer then determines 210 whether the dealer's starting hand hasmet the qualification criteria, such as having at least one card being a10-high or better, or a pair. The qualifying criteria may be dependenton the number of cards associated with the starting hand. For example,for a two-card starting hand, a 10-high or better, or a pair may beselected as the qualifying criteria. In an embodiment where more thantwo cards are dealt for the starting hand, some other predeterminedqualifying hand may be identified. For example, if the starting hand isa three-card hand, A-high or a pair may be the qualifying criteria.

If the dealer's starting hand does not meet the qualifying criteria, theplayer wins 212 the dealer's ante, and the hand is over. If the dealer'sstarting hand qualifies 210, the dealer calls 214 the player's bet orotherwise makes a second bet in response to the player's bet, and deals216 all or a portion of the community hand. For example, in oneembodiment, all cards of the community hand may be dealt, such as allfive cards in a five-card community hand. Alternatively, interim betsmay be allowed. For example, for a five-card community hand, three cardsof the community hand may be dealt or otherwise exposed, and another betmay be allowed by the players. Another card(s) of the community hand maythen be dealt or otherwise exposed, and more interim bets allowed, andso forth until the entire community hand has been dealt/exposed. In suchan embodiment, the dealer may look at the dealer's starting hand withoutexposing it to the players, until all bets have been placed at whichtime the dealer's starting hand may be exposed. In still otherembodiments, the community hand may be dealt in a non-consecutivemanner, without additional bets. For example, the first three cards ofthe community hand may be dealt to the board face up, then a card isburned or otherwise discarded, then another card dealt to the board,another card burned, and a final card of a five-card community handdealt. Dealing in this fashion may present additional anticipation forthe players. It should be noted, however, that the present invention isnot limited to any particular manner of dealing or otherwise presentingthe community cards, nor is the invention limited in the number ofcommunity cards that may be used for the community hand.

The player and dealer each derive 218 a hand having the best poker rankfrom a combination of the community hand and their respective startinghands. For example, where the starting hands are two-card starting handsand the community hand is a five-card community hand, the player and thedealer will derive the best five-card poker hand based on the sevencards comprising the communal hand and their respective two-cardstarting hands. If the player's hand does not beat the dealer's hand asdetermined at decision block 220, the dealer/house has either won thehand or a tie has occurred. If it is not a tie as determined at decisionblock 222, the dealer/house wins 224 the player's ante and secondbet(s). If there is a tie, house rules or other predetermined rules willdictate the action, as shown at block 226. For example, a tie may resultin a “push” such that no money is exchanged. In other embodiments, a tiemay result in the player losing to the house—i.e., the house rules mayrequire the player's hand to outright beat the dealer's hand in order towin. In yet another embodiment, the predetermined action/rules may allowthe player to win when a tie occurs. Again, the present invention is notlimited to any particular rules for ties, as any desired rules may beprovided for ties in accordance with the present invention. If theplayer's hand does beat the dealer's hand as determined at decisionblock 220, the player wins 228 the dealer's matching ante and secondbet(s).

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a representative hand in adealer-qualification card game in accordance with the present invention.In the illustrated example, the dealer 300 and player 302 each submit anante 304. Again, it should be recognized that the dealer does not haveto “physically” present an ante, but rather may simply call the player'sante such that the dealer/house is expected to pay the ante in the eventthat the dealer loses to the player. Because the dealer's ante and otherbets do not require physical presentation of chips, money, or otheractual bets, the ante and bet amounts for the dealer 300 shown in FIG. 3are shown by dashed lines.

In the illustrated example, the ante is shown as $1, although the ante304 may be any desired amount. A two-card hand 306 is dealt to both thedealer 300 and the player 302. In one embodiment, the two-card hand 306is dealt face down to the dealer and to the player. In anotherembodiment, the two-card hand 306 may be dealt face up for the player302. For example, in an electronic embodiment, the player's two-cardhand 306 would generally be “dealt” (i.e., electronically displayed)face up.

The player 302 may fold at this point, or otherwise place a bet 308. Inthe example of FIG. 3, the player 302 places a $5 bet 308 in addition tothe previously submitted ante. The dealer 300 then exposes the two-cardhand 310 (or otherwise perceives the value of the hand in an electronicversion). If the dealer's 300 starting hand 310 does not qualify bymeeting the qualifying criteria, the player 302 receives a net win ofthe dealer's 300 ante 304. Otherwise, as shown at stage 314, the dealer300 qualifies, calls the player's bet ($5 in the illustratedembodiment), and deals the community hand 316 to create the board 318.As shown at stage 320, the dealer's 300 and player's 302 poker hands arederived using their respective two-card starting hands 310, 312 and thecommunal hand 316, the winner is determined, and the bets are settled.In this example, the player's 302 best hand is a full house (Q,Q,Q,5,5)322, and the dealer's 300 best hand is two pair (Q,Q,2,2) 324.Therefore, the player 302 wins the bets called by the dealer, andarrives at a net win amount corresponding to the dealer's 300 total bet326.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the player isallowed to choose the amount of the bet to be made if the player doesnot decide to fold. For example, the player may be allowed to choose oneof a plurality of predefined wager amounts, such as choosing either $5or $10 to bet. Any number of different predefined wager amounts may bemade available to the player. In another embodiment, the player canwager any amount within a predetermined wager range, such as any amountbetween $5 and $15. In this manner, the player can win (or lose) alesser or greater amount where the dealer calls the players bet with anequivalent or otherwise proportional amount.

In one embodiment of the invention, the dealer's qualifying criteria isdependent on the amount wagered by the particular player. FIGS. 4A, 4B,and 4C illustrate representative embodiments of dealer qualifyingcriteria that is based on the amount wagered by the player. FIG. 4Aillustrates a single bet/single qualifier embodiment. In thisembodiment, only one bet amount is available to the player, which is $5.The qualifying criteria for such a bet is fixed at a 10-high. In otherwords, the dealer must have at least one card in the dealer's startinghand that is a ten or higher, or have a pair, in order to qualify. Theparticular qualifier amount may be set to any desired poker rank.Further, in one embodiment, the qualifier may change within a range,such as change between a 9-high and a J-high. Such a qualifier changewithin a range may be made randomly, which may be particularlyinteresting and easy to implement in an electronic version of the game.

FIG. 4B illustrates a multiple bet/single qualifier embodiment. In thisembodiment, the qualifier remains the same (i.e., poker rank of 10-highor better) regardless of the bet placed by the player. FIG. 4Cillustrates a multiple bet/multiple qualifier embodiment, where thequalifier changes depending on the bet (or range of bets) placed by theplayer. For example, a $5 bet placed by the player results in a 9-highor better poker rank qualifier, and a $10 bet results in a Q-high orbetter poker rank qualifier in the illustrated embodiment. In thisembodiment, any bet amount ($N) results in a qualifier that is afunction of the bet amount as depicted by QUALIFIER(N). It should benoted that the bet amounts of $5, $10, through $N may be fixed, suchthat only those particular bet amounts are available for the player tobet. In other words, the player may have the option of betting $5, $10,etc., but may not bet an amount between those fixed amounts, or above orbelow the highest or lowest allowable bet respectively. In anotherembodiment, the bet amounts may be ranges, such that bets can be placedanywhere between $5 and $N, and the qualifier will change when theplayer bet reaches the next level. For example, a bet of $5, $6, $7, $8,or $9 (assuming bets on a whole dollar levels only) will result in aqualifier of 9-high or a pair, and a bet of $10 through the next levelwill result in a qualifier of Q-high or a pair, and so forth. Again,these represent examples only, and the qualifying poker rank andcorrespondence with bet amounts may be selected in any desired manner.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a manner of participating in adealer-qualification card game in accordance with the present invention,where the player may choose a bet amount, and the qualifier is dependentupon the player's selected bet amount. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, theplayer(s) provides an ante/initial bet and the dealer calls the bet, asshown at block 500. Starting hands are dealt 502 to the player(s) and tothe dealer. The player may fold, and if the player folds as determinedat decision block 504, the dealer wins 506 the player's ante. If theplayer does not fold, the player selects a bet amount, and places theselected bet as shown at block 508. For example, the player may select a$10 bet among bet choices of $5 and $10.

The dealer's qualifying hand is then set 510, where setting thequalifying hand is based on the player's second bet amount. Moreparticularly, where the player bet $5 rather than $10, the qualifyinghand may be set 510 to a 10-high or better (e.g., at least one cardbeing a 10, J, Q, K, A, or any pair). Alternatively, where the playerbet $10 rather than $5, the qualifying hand may be set 510 to a Q-highor better. Based on the established qualifying hand, it is determined512 whether the dealer's starting hand meets the qualifying hand. Ifnot, the player wins 514 the dealer's ante, and the hand is over. If thedealer's starting hand qualifies 512, the dealer calls 516 the player'sbet or otherwise makes a second bet in response to the player's bet, anddeals 518 the community cards. The player and dealer each derive 520 ahand having the best poker rank from a combination of the communitycards and their respective starting hands. For example, where thestarting hands are two-card starting hands and the communal hand is afive-card hand, the player and the dealer will derive the best five-cardpoker hand based on the seven cards comprising the community hand andtheir respective two-card starting hands. If the player's hand does notbeat the dealer's hand as determined at decision block 522, thedealer/house has either won the hand or a tie has occurred. If it is nota tie as determined at decision block 524, the player loses 526 thehand; i.e., the dealer/house wins the player's ante and second bet(s).If there is a tie, house rules or other predetermined rules will dictatethe action, as shown at block 528. For example, a tie may result in apush, or alternatively the rules may award the win to one or the otherof the dealer or player. Again, the present invention is not limited toany particular rules for ties, as any desired rules may be provided forties in accordance with the present invention.

If the player's hand does beat the dealer's hand as determined atdecision block 522, the player wins 530 the dealer's matching ante andsecond bet(s). It should be noted that in one embodiment of theinvention, the winning amount providing to a player having a winninghand may be less than the total of the player's ante and bets. Forexample, if the player's ante was $1 and the player bet $5 and won thehand, the player may awarded $6 in return, or may be awarded some amountless than $6. In another embodiment, the player may be awarded more thanthe player's ante and bets. One such embodiment is described more fullybelow, where the player may be awarded a bonus depending on the pokerrank associated with his/her resulting hand.

FIG. 6 is a table illustrating a number of exemplary game plays andcorresponding results in accordance with the present invention. Eachgame play is described in terms of a player's two-card starting hand 600and ensuing player action 602, the dealer's two-card starting hand 604and ensuing dealer action 606, a five-card community hand 608, and the“net” result 610 to the player. For purposes of this example, it isassumed that the player(s) ante $1, and the player can choose betweensubsequent bets of $5 or $10. For purposes of this example it is alsoassumed that the qualifying criteria is dependent on the player's betamount such that a bet of $5 requires the dealer to have a 10-high orbetter starting hand to qualify, and a bet of $10 requires the dealer tohave a Q-high or better starting hand to qualify. For purposes of thisexample, it is also assumed that a conventional poker rank is used, suchas set forth in Table 1 below:

TABLE 1 Poker Rank Hand Example Royal Flush A, K, Q, J, 10 (suited)Straight Flush 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (suited) Four Of A Kind 8, 8, 8, 8, 5 FullHouse 10, 10, 10, J, J Flush 3, 6, 8, J, Q (suited) Straight 5, 6, 7, 8,9 (unsuited) Three Of A Kind Q, Q, Q, 2, 3 Two Pair A, A, J, J, 10 OnePair Q, Q, 4, 5, 9 High Card In Hand A, Q, 4, 5, 8It is also noted that for purposes of the example of FIG. 6, no suitedhands, such as a any type of flush, are considered for ease ofillustration.

In a first game play 612, the player has a starting hand 600 of (7,2).The player decides 602 to fold, and therefore the dealer starting hand604, dealer action 606, and community hand 608 is irrelevant to thisplayer for this game 612. The net result 610 to the player is that theplayer loses his/her ante of $1.

In game play 614, the player has a starting hand 600 of (9,5). Theplayer does not fold, and instead decides 602 to bet $5. The dealer hasa starting hand 604 of (9,8). Because the qualifier for a $5 player betis 10-high or better, the dealer action 606 is to fold, in which casethe result 610 is that the player wins the dealer's $1 ante bet.

In game play 616, the player has a starting hand 600 of (J,2). Theplayer does not fold, and instead decides 602 to bet $5. The dealer hasa starting hand 604 of (10,6), and therefore qualifies for a $5 playerbet. The dealer action 606 is to call the bet, and deal the communitycards 608 which are (J,8,5,3,2). In this case, the player obtains twopair (J,J,2,2), and the dealer obtains only a J-high hand. The result610 is therefore that the player receives a net win of the dealer's anteand the dealer's $5 call bet, for a total of $6.

In game play 618, the player has a starting hand 600 of (5,5). Theplayer does not fold, and instead decides 602 to bet $5. The dealer hasa starting hand 604 of (8,8), which is a pair and has a poker rankhigher than the required qualifying criteria of 10-high for a $5 playerbet. The dealer action 606 is to call the bet, and deal the communitycards 608 which are (8,8,5,5,2). In this case, the player obtains a5-high four-of-a-kind (5,5,5,5), but the dealer obtains an 8-highfour-of-a-kind (8,8,8,8). The result 610 is therefore that the playerloses the ante and bet, for a total loss of $6. It should be noted thatin one embodiment of the invention, the player is still eligible forbonus awards even if the player's hand does not beat the dealer's hand.Such bonus awards are described more fully below.

In game play 620, the player has a starting hand 600 of (J,2). Theplayer does not fold, and instead decides 602 to bet $5. The dealer hasa starting hand 604 of (10,6), and therefore qualifies for a $5 playerbet. The dealer action 606 is to call the bet, and deal the communitycards 608 which are (J,10,6,4,3). In this case, the player obtains apair of Jacks (J,J), and the dealer obtains two pair (10,10,6,6). Theresult 610 is that the player loses a total of $6.

In one embodiment of the invention, a player can receive an additionalbonus if the player obtains a hand that corresponds to a predeterminedpoker rank. Such bonus payouts may be made in any desired manner. Table2 illustrates an example of such a bonus payout schedule.

TABLE 2 Bonus Table Hand Example Bonus Royal Flush A, K, Q, J, 10(suited) ×20 Straight Flush 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (suited) ×10 Four Of A Kind 8,8, 8, 8, 5  ×5

Thus, if a player obtains four-of-a-kind, a multiplier of 5 is appliedto the player's winnings. According to the bonus table of Table 2, astraight flush results in a multiplier of 10, and a royal flush resultsin a multiplier of 20. Alternatively, fixed monetary values may beprovided by the bonus rather than multiplier values. Further, bonusesmay be implemented for any type of hand with the desiredmultiplier/value associated therewith.

Returning now to FIG. 6, game play 622 involves a player starting hand600 of (J,2). The player does not fold, and decides 602 to bet $5. Thedealer has a starting hand 604 of (10,6), and therefore qualifies for a$5 player bet. The dealer action 606 is to call the bet, and deal thecommunity cards 608 which are (J,J,J,6,3). In this case, the playerobtains four-of-a-kind (J,J,J,J), and the dealer obtains a full house(J,J,J,6,6). The result 610 is that the player wins a total of $30. Thisis due to the player winning the $1 ante and $5 call bet from the dealer(totaling $6), and receiving a ×5 multiplier as shown in Table 2 above,resulting in a $30 win for the player. In another embodiment, had thedealer won the hand (e.g., four Kings), the player may still be eligiblefor a bonus award. In such an embodiment, a particular value rather thana multiplier may be used, or the entire bonus schedule may be based onparticular values rather than multipliers.

In game play 624, the player has a starting hand 600 of (J,2). Theplayer does not fold, and decides 602 to bet $10. The dealer has astarting hand 604 of (10,6). Because the qualifier for a $10 player betis Q-high or better, the dealer action 606 is to fold, in which case theresult 610 is that the player wins the dealer's $1 ante bet.

In game play 626, the player has a starting hand 600 of (J,2). Theplayer does not fold, and decides 602 to bet $10. The dealer has astarting hand 604 of (Q,5), and therefore qualifies for a $10 playerbet. The dealer action 606 is to call the bet, and deal the communitycards 608 which are (J,J,Q,3,2). In this case, the player obtains a fullhouse (J,J,J,2,2), and the dealer obtains two pair (Q,Q,J,J). The result610 is therefore that the player receives a net win of the dealer's $1ante plus the dealer's $10 call bet, for a total of $11.

In game play 628, the player has a starting hand 600 of (J,2). Theplayer does not fold, and decides 602 to bet $10. The dealer has astarting hand 604 of (K,3), and therefore qualifies for a $10 playerbet. The dealer action 606 is to call the bet, and deal the communitycards 608 which are (J,J,J,4,3). In this case, the player obtainsfour-of-a-kind (J,J,J,J), and the dealer obtains a full house(J,J,J,3,3). The result 610 is that the player wins a total of $55. Thisis due to the player winning the $1 ante and $10 call bet from thedealer (totaling $11), and receiving a ×5 multiplier as shown in Table 2above, resulting in a $55 win for the player.

In game play 630, the player has a starting hand 600 of (7,7). Theplayer does not fold, and instead decides 602 to bet $10. The dealer hasa starting hand 604 of (Q,8), and therefore qualifies for a $10 playerbet. The dealer action 606 is to call the bet, and deal the communitycards 608 which are (Q,9,6,4,2). In this case, the player obtains a pairof sevens (7,7), and the dealer obtains a pair of Queens (Q,Q). Theresult 610 is that the player loses a total of $11, which equals theplayer's $1 ante plus the player's $10 bet.

In game play 632, the player has a starting hand 600 of (9,9). Theplayer does not fold, and decides 602 to bet $10. The dealer has astarting hand 604 of (J,J), which is a pair and has a poker rank higherthan the required qualifying criteria of Q-high or better for a $10player bet. The dealer action 606 is to call the bet, and deal thecommunity cards 608 which are (J,J,9,9,2). In this case, the playerobtains a 9-high four-of-a-kind (9,9,9,9), but the dealer obtains aJack-high four-of-a-kind (J,J,J,J). The result 610 is that the playerloses the ante and bet, for a total loss of $11. As previouslyindicated, other embodiments of the invention may still award the playera bonus based on his/her resulting hand, even if the player's hand didnot beat the dealer's hand.

As can be seen from the foregoing examples, a player may receive a poorstarting hand from a poker rank perspective, yet still be in the gameand ultimately win the full amount. In other words, even though theplayer starts out with a poor hand, the fact thatpost-bet/post-qualifying communal cards are presented leaves the playerin a position to still be able to beat the dealer outright, and win thedealer's ante and bet total. On the other hand, even if the player has agood starting hand from a poker rank perspective, the player could stilllose to the dealer who may have a poor starting hand. FIGS. 7A and 7Billustrate this. In FIG. 7A, the player starting hand 700A is betterfrom a poker rank perspective than the dealer starting hand 702A. Thepost-qualifying communal hand 704A is dealt, and the ultimate result isthat the dealer obtains a full house (3,3,3,Q,Q) 708A and the playerobtains two pair (A,A,3,3) 706A. Even though the player started with abetter starting hand than the dealer, the player did not win the hand.Conversely, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the player starting hand 700B isworse from a poker rank perspective than the dealer starting hand 702B.The post-qualifying communal hand 704B is dealt, and the ultimate resultis that the player obtains a full house (3,3,3,2,2) 706B and the dealerobtains two pair (K,K,3,3) 708B. Even though the player started with aworse starting hand than the dealer, the player won the hand.

A card game according to the present invention may be implemented inlive table versions. An example table layout 800 is illustrated in FIG.8 for use as a gaming table cover or top surface in playing live casinoversions of the poker game in accordance with the invention. Theembodiment of FIG. 8 includes a plurality of player locations 802, 804,806, 808, 810 spaced around an arcuate peripheral edge at which one ormore players will sit or stand during play of the game. The dealer mayface the players from a dealer location 812, such as behind the straightedge of the layout 800. The layout 800 may be formed from a feltmaterial in a manner known in the art, for example, in connection withconventional Twenty-One table layouts. Alternatively, the layout may bephysically incorporated into the surface of a gaming table.

Each of the player locations, for example, player location 802, mayinclude wagering indicia, such as an ante area 814 and bet area 816A. Byplacing a coin(s), bill(s), marker(s), chip(s) or other token(s) to beassociated with the ante area 814, the player makes his/her ante.Similarly, by placing a coin(s), bill(s), marker(s), chip(s) or othertoken(s) to be associated with the bet area 816A, the player makeshis/her bets. Such a bet area 816A may be used for embodiments allowingonly a single fixed bet (e.g., $5), or in embodiments that involvemultiple bets (e.g., $5 and $10; bets within a range, etc.).Alternatively, separate indicia 818B may be used to place bets ofdifferent values for embodiments allowing bets of different values. Thismay be beneficial, for example, to the dealer to more easily determinewhat the dealer's qualifying criteria will be for each player. It shouldbe noted that no such indicia 814, 816A, 816B is required at all inother embodiments, as the value of the bets placed by the players may beself-explanatory.

The dealer deals the starting hands, such as player starting hand 822and dealer starting hand 824. Each non-folding player makes a wager. Thedealer determines whether the dealer starting hand 824 meets thequalifying criteria, and if so, calls the bets of each of theparticipating players, and deals the community hand 826. The players'cards are turned face-up, and the best poker hand from their respectivestarting hands (e.g., 822) and the community hand 826 is determined. Thedealer pays out for players whose resulting poker hands beat thedealer's resulting poker hand, and the house takes the bets of thelosing players. In the event of a tie, no money is exchanged (i.e.,“push”), or other predetermined rules may be followed.

The present invention may also be implemented as a casino gaming machinesuch as slot machines or other special purpose gaming kiosks, videogames, or may be computing systems operating under the direction oflocal gaming software and/or remotely provided software such as providedby an application service provider (ASP). The casino gaming machinesutilize computing systems to control and manage the gaming activity. Anexample of a representative computing system capable of carrying outoperations in accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIG. 9.

Hardware, firmware, software or a combination thereof may be used toperform the various gaming functions, display presentations andoperations described herein. The functional modules used in connectionwith the invention may reside in a gaming machine as described, or mayalternatively reside on a stand-alone or networked computer. Thecomputing structure 900 of FIG. 9 is an example computing structure thatcan be used in connection with such electronic gaming machines,computers, or other computer-implemented devices to carry out operationsof the present invention.

The example computing arrangement 900 suitable for performing the gamingfunctions in accordance with the present invention typically includes acentral processor (CPU) 902 coupled to random access memory (RAM) 904and some variation of read-only memory (ROM) 906. The ROM 906 may alsobe other types of storage media to store programs, such as programmableROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), etc. The processor 902 maycommunicate with other internal and external components throughinput/output (I/O) circuitry 908 and bussing 910, to provide controlsignals, communication signals, and the like.

Chance-based gaming systems such as slot machines, in which the presentinvention is applicable, are governed by random numbers and processors.A monitor 911 or other display device is used to display the gamingactivity as facilitated by a random number generator (RNG). RNGs arewell-known in the art, and may be implemented using hardware, softwareoperable in connection with the processor 902, or some combination ofhardware and software. A processor 902 associated with the system, underappropriate program instruction, can simulate the dealing of cards. Thepresent invention is operable using any known RNG, and may be integrallyprogrammed as part of the processor 902 operation, or alternatively maybe a separate RNG controller 940.

The computing arrangement 900 may also include one or more data storagedevices, including hard and floppy disk drives 912, CD-ROM drives 914,and other hardware capable of reading and/or storing information such asDVD, etc. In one embodiment, software for carrying out the operations inaccordance with the present invention may be stored and distributed on aCD-ROM 916, diskette 918 or other form of media capable of portablystoring information. These storage media may be inserted into, and readby, devices such as the CD-ROM drive 914, the disk drive 912, etc. Thesoftware may also be transmitted to the computing arrangement 900 viadata signals, such as being downloaded electronically via a network,such as the Internet. Further, as previously described, the software forcarrying out the functions associated with the present invention mayalternatively be stored in internal memory/storage of the computingdevice 900, such as in the ROM 906. The computing arrangement 900 iscoupled to the display 911, which represents a display on which thegaming activities in accordance with the invention are presented. Thedisplay 911 merely represents the “presentation” of the videoinformation in accordance with the invention, and may be any type ofknown display or presentation screen, such as LCD displays, plasmadisplay, cathode ray tubes (CRT), etc. Where the computing device 900represents a stand-alone or networked computer, the display 911 mayrepresent a standard computer terminal or display capable of displayingmultiple windows, frames, etc. Where the computing device is embeddedwithin an electronic gaming machine (see FIG. 10), the display 911corresponds to the display screen of the gaming machine/kiosk. A userinput interface 922 such as a mouse, keyboard, microphone, touch pad,touch screen, voice-recognition system, etc. may be provided.

The computing arrangement 900 may be connected to other computingdevices or gaming machines, such as via a network. The computingarrangement 900 may be connected to a network server 928 in an intranetor local network configuration. The computer may further be part of alarger network configuration as in a global area network (GAN) such asthe Internet. In such a case, the computer accesses one or more webservers 930 via the Internet 932.

Other components directed to gaming machine implementations includemanners of gaming participant payment, and gaming machine payout. Forexample, a gaming machine including the computing arrangement 900 mayalso include a hopper controller 942 to determine the amount of payoutto be provided to the participant. The hopper controller may beintegrally implemented with the processor 902, or alternatively as aseparate hopper controller 942. A hopper 944 may also be provided ingaming machine embodiments, where the hopper serves as the mechanismholding the coins/tokens of the machine. The wager input module 946represents any mechanism for accepting coins, tokens, coupons, bills,credit cards, smart cards, membership cards, etc. for which aparticipant inputs a wager amount.

As indicated above, the present invention may be implemented instand-alone video poker versions. An electronic video poker device ofthe general type suitable for use in the practice of the game accordingto the present invention is generally illustrated in FIG. 10.

As depicted in FIG. 10, the electronic video poker device 1000 includesa display screen 1002 operative in a well known manner to displayrepresentations of conventional playing cards thereon. In accordancewith the present invention, a central processing unit (CPU; not shown)of the device 1000 is instructed pursuant to one or more computingprograms which may, for example, be stored in a read-only memory (ROM),programmable read-only memory (PROM) or other storage medium of theinternal circuitry. The stored program code may be selectivelydetermined, within the ambit of a programmer of ordinary skill in theart, having the benefit of the instant disclosure, to enable theelectronic device 1000 to play the card games of the present invention.A first portion of the display screen 1002 is operative to display,face-up, at least one starting hand 1004 for the player, and to displaya starting hand 1006 for the dealer which is dealt face-down in oneembodiment of the invention. The player starting hand 1004 includesscreen card representations 1008, 1010, and the dealer starting hand1006 includes screen card representations 1012, 1014. In accordance withgenerally known technology in the field of video poker machines, the CPUof the device 1000, under appropriate program instruction, mayaccurately simulate the random dealing of each of the starting handsfrom one or more conventional card decks. Another portion of the displayscreen 1002 is similarly operative to display the community hand 1016associated with the game. In the example of FIG. 10, the community handincludes five community cards, including cards 1018, 1020, 1022, 1024,1026.

A display segment or panel 1030 may be provided to display the value ofthe current bet, for example 5 tokens (where tokens may represent, forexample, nickels, dimes, quarters, dollars, etc.), the number ofaccumulated credits, and the number of tokens paid out. A displaysegment or panel 1032 may be provided to display a bonus table, if oneis available for the game.

A token acceptor 1034 is operative to receive wager tokens, oralternatively, coins, bills, credit/debit cards, coupons, smart cards,prepaid casino cards, and the like. Various control buttons 1036, 1038,1040, 1042, 1044, 1046 allow the player to make control inputs duringplay of the game of the present invention. In an example manner of playof the electronic video poker device 1000, a player first enters tokens,coins, prepaid card, credit card, or the like into the acceptor 1034 toacquire a credit balance on credit display 1030. If desired, the playermay alternatively place each bet individually after each hand byinserting coins, tokens, bills, etc.

The player can press the ANTE button 1044 to submit an initial bet/ante.By pressing the DEAL button 1042, the player's and dealer's startinghands 1004, 1006 may be dealt. Alternatively, the starting hand 1004 and1006 may automatically be dealt upon the player placing the ante bet.

A FOLD button 1040 allows the player to fold if desired. If the playerfolds, the ante amount is forfeited. If the player does not fold, theplayer may activate the BET CREDITS button 1038 one or more times toplace a wager which is displayed by bet display 1030. In one embodiment,repeated activation of the BET CREDITS button 1038 will increase theplayer's bet. In another embodiment, additional BET CREDITS buttons maybe provided, where each of such buttons may be associated with adifferent bet amount. The electronic device 1000 may be programmed tolimit the number of tokens that can be bet on a single hand. Such alimit is dependent on a predetermined limit of credits per hand (as wellas the number of concurrent hands that will be played in an embodimentallowing multiple community hands to be concurrently played with theplayer's starting hand 1004).

The DEAL button 1042 may be used to initiate the rest of the play. Forexample, pressing the DEAL button 1042 may cause the dealer's startinghand 1006 to be compared against the appropriate qualifying criteria, topayout an amount if the dealer does not qualify, and to cause the dealerto call the bet and deal the community hand 1016 if the dealer's handqualifies. Alternatively, such action may automatically occur inresponse to the player making a bet.

When (and if) the bets have been placed and the community hand 1016 hasbeen dealt, the winning hand is identified. The CASH OUT button 1036 canbe used to allow the player to cash out any accumulated credit balance.

As may now be readily understood, the device 1000 may be programmed toplay various embodiments of the invention. Alternatively, the device mayinclude a control input to allow a player to select play of differentvariations of the game. In connection with certain embodiments of theinvention, the device 1000 may be programmed to make appropriate bonuspayouts. For example, bonus payouts may be made in accordance with theodds set forth in Table 2 above, but may be made in any predeterminedmanner.

In another embodiment of the invention, multiple community hands may beplayed concurrently by one or more of the players in the game. This maybe implemented in both table games as well as electronic versions. Forpurposes of illustration, such a version is described in connection withan electronic game, although the principles are equally applicable to alive table game.

The embodiment of FIG. 11 corresponds to the embodiment of FIG. 10, andthe reference numbers of FIG. 10 are used in FIG. 11 where appropriate.The embodiment of FIG. 11 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 10 in thatup to three boards may be concurrently played by the player. Any numberof boards may be implemented, and three boards are used in theembodiment of FIG. 11 for purposes of illustration only. In thisembodiment, the game is played as previously described, but the playermay select one, two, or three boards to be concurrently played. If theplayer chooses to play three boards, the player may identify the numberof boards to play by, for example, using the BET BOARDS button 1100.Alternative methods may also be used, such as by hitting the ANTE button1044 for each number of community hands 1102, 1104, 1106 that aredesired for play.

When the player has submitted the ante, and the number of communityhands 1102, 1104, 1106 has been selected, the player can press the DEALbutton 1042, and the player's and dealer's starting hands 1004, 1006 maybe dealt. Alternatively, the starting hands 1004 and 1006 mayautomatically be dealt upon the player placing the ante bets.

The FOLD button 1040 allows the player to fold on any, all, or none ofthe concurrent hands that will be played. If the player folds for anyhand, the corresponding ante amount is forfeited. If the player does notfold, the player may activate the BET CREDITS button 1038 one or moretimes to place a wager which is displayed by bet display 1030. In oneembodiment, different bet amounts may be placed for each of theconcurrent hands being played, or all hands may be subject to a commonbet amount.

The DEAL button 1042 may be used to initiate the rest of the play. Forexample, pressing the DEAL button 1042 may cause the dealer's startinghand 1006 to be compared against the appropriate qualifying criteria andto pay out an amount for each of the concurrent hands played if thedealer does not qualify. If the dealer hand qualifies, the dealer willcall the bets and deal the number of community hands 1102, 1104, 1106selected by the player. Alternatively, such action may automaticallyoccur in response to the player making a bet.

When (and if) the bets have been placed and the community hands 1102,1104, 1106 identified by the player for play have been dealt, winninghands are determined for each of the concurrently-played hands. Forexample, a first resulting dealer hand will be determined using thedealer starting hand 1006 and community hand 1102, which will becompared against a first resulting player hand using the player startinghand 1104 and the community hand 1102. Bets for this hand will besettled. If the player selected to concurrently play another hand, asecond resulting dealer hand will be determined using the dealerstarting hand 1006 and community hand 1104, which will be comparedagainst a second resulting player hand using the player starting hand1104 and the community hand 1104, and bets for this hand will besettled. This continues for each of the number of concurrent boardsselected by the player.

It should be noted that such a game may not allow for player selectionof the number of concurrent games, but rather the game may be a fixed,concurrent-play game. For example, the game may require the player toparticipate in three hands concurrently. It should also be noted thatsuch a concurrent-play game is equally applicable to a live tableversion of the game according to the present invention. The concurrentplay in accordance with the present invention may be determined in amanner as set forth herein, and in connection with a system and methodas described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/351,983 filed onJan. 27, 2003, and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,511,068 issued on Jan. 28, 2003,both of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, multipledealers/multiple house hands may be implemented. For example, in a livetable version, the dealer may deal multiple dealer starting hands (i.e.,multiple starting hands to the dealer), or alternatively two or moredealers may each deal a starting hand to themselves. This allows theplayer to participate in multiple games or to allow the game to beplayed in a different manner. In an electronic version, multiple dealerstarting hands would be presented.

More particularly, consider for purposes of illustration an embodimentinvolving a live table version of the game, where one dealer deals twostarting hands to himself/herself as multiple dealer starting hands. Forpurposes of illustration, it will be assumed that the dealer will havetwo starting hands, although the number can be greater than two. Theplayer may provide two ante bets, one for each of the dealer startinghands. In one embodiment, the player is dealt a single starting hand,although there are multiple dealer starting hands. In one embodiment,the player may fold on one or both bet opportunities, thereby forfeitingeach respective ante, or may otherwise place a bet against the hands ofeither or both of the dealers. Where the player bets rather than folds,it is determined whether each dealer starting hand qualifies, and thedealer thereby calls the respective bet or loses due to failure toqualify on the multiple dealer starting hands. In one embodiment, thedealer then deals a single community hand to be used with the player'sstarting hand and each of the dealer's starting hands. The player'sresulting hand is compared against each number of the dealer's resultinghands that are still active (i.e., qualified), and the bets are settled.

Such an embodiment may be particularly interesting in situations such aswhere the player is given the opportunity to make multiple bets whenreceiving a good starting hand. For example, the player may decide toplay against two dealer hands, and thus provides two ante bets. If theplayer was to receive a good starting hand such as a pair, the playercan bet on both hands, and in fact may opt to bet a higher bet amountwhere multiple bet amounts are allowed. The player would also have theopportunity to fold on one hand and bet on the other, which may occur ifthe player believes his/her hand will beat one dealer but not the other,or if the player's hand is not good enough to risk losing two bets, orthe like.

In one embodiment, the player plays against each dealer/dealer handindependently, in that the player may lose the bets to both dealerhands, may win one bet and lose the other bet, or may win both bets. Inanother embodiment, the player may have to beat both (or all where morethan two) dealer hands in order to win any amount. For example, if theplayer's resulting hand beats none or one of the dealer hands, theplayer would lose. However, in such an embodiment where the player needsto beat both dealer hands, the return may be greater. For example, ifthe player bet $5 for each of the two dealer hands and the player'sresulting hands beats both dealer resulting hands, the player may net,for example, $10 for each of the dealer hands for a net win of $20(rather than a net win of $10 total).

In one embodiment of the invention, the dealer may simply deal multipledealer starting hands, and the player may, or may not, opt to ante upfor both hands. If the player provides one ante, the player would playin the normal fashion against one of the dealer's starting hands, whichmay be designated in some manner as the dealer's primary starting hand.If the player provides a second ante, the player would play against bothdealer hands. In such an embodiment, the dealer deals multiple dealerstarting hands to afford each player the opportunity to play againstmultiple dealer hands, but the player is not required to. The dealerwill know whether the player is playing against one or both (or more)dealer starting hands by the ante bet placed by the player. If theplayer chooses to play against multiple dealer hands, the player may bethe same amount or a different amount for each of the dealer hands.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the inventionhas been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be limited not with this detailed description, but rather setforth by the claims appended hereto.

1. A method for playing a card game, comprising: covering, by a dealer,a wager placed by at least one player for participation in a hand of thecard game; dealing respective starting hands to the dealer and the atleast one player, wherein each of the starting hands includes one ormore cards representing a potential portion of respective resultingpoker hands of the dealer and the at least one player; discontinuing thehand to the benefit of the at least one player if the dealer's startinghand does not meet one or more qualifying criteria for the hand; andcontinuing the hand if the dealer's starting hand meets the at least onequalifying criterion by completing the respective resulting poker handsfor the dealer and the at least one player using their respectivestarting hands and a community hand.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising determining whether the dealer's starting hand qualifiesbased on whether the dealer's starting hand meets at least one dealerqualifying criterion known in advance to the at least one player.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the dealer'sstarting hand qualifies based on whether the dealer's starting handmeets at least one dealer qualifying criterion randomly selected fromwithin a known range of dealer qualifying criteria.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising providing the at least one player with anaward commensurate with the wager covered by the dealer if the dealer'sstarting hand does not meet the one or more qualifying criteria for thehand.
 5. The method of claim 1, identifying a winning poker hand basedon a comparison by poker rank of each of the player's resulting pokerhands and the dealer's resulting poker hand.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein identifying a winning poker hand comprises: determiningrespective player poker ranks for a five-card player resulting pokerhand derived from each player's starting hand of two cards and thecommunity hand of five cards; and determining a dealer poker rank for afive-card dealer resulting poker hand derived from the dealer's startinghand of two cards and the community hand of five cards.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising each player wagering one of a plurality ofpredetermined wager amounts.
 8. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising respectively establishing the qualifying criteria as afunction of a wager amount wagered by each player.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising establishing the qualifying criteria as afunction of the number of cards associated with the at least oneplayer's starting hand.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at leastone qualifying criterion comprises a qualifying poker rank for thedealer's starting hand.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein covering thewager by the dealer comprises a physical dealer matching each of the atleast one player's wager.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein coveringthe wager by the dealer comprises providing an agreement that the dealerwill provide an award to the at least one player if the dealer'sstarting hand does not meet the one or more qualifying criteria for thehand.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein covering the wager by thedealer comprises a virtual dealer matching each of the at least oneplayer's wagers.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising awardingthe player with a bonus if the poker rank for the respective player'sresulting poker hand meets or exceeds a predetermined poker rank. 15.The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling further wagers to beplaced by the at least one player if the hand has been continued as aresult of the dealer's starting hand meeting the at least one qualifyingcriterion.
 16. A method for playing an electronic card game, comprising:facilitating placement of a wager by a player for participation in ahand; presenting a player starting hand for use by the player;presenting a virtual dealer starting hand; determining whether thevirtual dealer starting hand meets one or more qualifying criteria;enabling the hand to be terminated and awarding the player with an awardbased on the player's wager in the event that the virtual dealerstarting hand does not meet the one or more qualifying criteria; andenabling the hand to continue by presenting a plurality of communitycards, deriving a player resulting hand using at least a subset of acombination of the community cards and the player starting hand, andderiving a virtual dealer resulting hand using at least a subset of acombination of the community cards and the virtual dealer starting hand,in the event that the virtual dealer starting hand meets the one or morequalifying criteria.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprisingcomparing poker ranks of the virtual dealer resulting hand and theplayer resulting hand, and providing the player with an award if theplayer resulting hand is higher than the virtual dealer resulting hand.18. The method of claim 16, further comprising enabling further wagersto be placed by the player if the hand has been enabled to continue. 19.The method of claim 16, further comprising enabling the player to selectwhich subset of the combination of the community cards and the player'sstarting hand is to be used as the player resulting hand.
 20. The methodof claim 16, further comprising identifying the subset of thecombination of the community cards and the player's starting hand thathas the highest poker rank, and using that subset as the playerresulting hand.
 21. The method of claim 16, wherein: the electronic cardgame comprises a hold'em poker game; the player starting hand comprisestwo cards; the virtual dealer starting hand comprises two cards; thecommunity cards comprise five community cards; the player resulting handcomprises a five-card resulting hand having the highest poker rankpossible from the collection of the five community cards and thetwo-card player starting hand; and the virtual dealer resulting handcomprises a five-card resulting hand having the highest poker rankpossible from the collection of the five community cards and thetwo-card virtual dealer starting hand.
 22. An apparatus facilitatingparticipation in an electronic card game, comprising: a wager acceptorto accept player assets; a user interface to facilitate placement of awager by a player for participating in a hand of the electronic cardgame; a display to present respective starting hands to the player andto a virtual dealer, wherein each of the starting hands includes one ormore cards representing potential portions of respective resulting pokerhands of the player and the dealer; and a processing system configuredto discontinue play of the hand to the benefit of the player if thevirtual dealer's starting hand does not meet qualifying criteria for thehand, and to continue play of the hand if the virtual dealer's startinghand meets the qualifying criteria.